Meet Nychol Lyna | Author of “Forgotten Baby” & Founder of Dream North LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nychol Lyna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nychol, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I grew up in Los Angeles and Inglewood, California, as an only child raised by my devoted single-parenting mother. Growing up as an only child, I often found myself alone. This allowed me to have the freedom to think creatively and entertain myself. Later, these experiences (including being exposed to gangs within my neighborhood, and racism and bullying outside of my community, while enrolled at various private schools) inspired me to put all my emotions into writing. After attending Bishop Montgomery High School in 2005, I moved to Hampton, Virginia to attend HBCU Hampton University. Later, I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Devry University in March 2009 and an MBA in Management from California State University Dominguez Hills in October 2010. A life-altering auto accident in 2013 encouraged me to achieve self-fulfillment and motivation in my life. So I took a few Spanish and French classes, and in 2015, I resided in Spain for one year and later went on to obtain a Masters in International Business from Schiller International University in 2018. In Spain, I began working on a research study entitled, “Prostitution among Women & Minors: Global Assessment of Causes and Prevention,” geared towards gaining insight into the social science aspects of people in our society and determining the factors that contribute to the exploitation and trafficking of women and minors, and the preventative measures taken to deter them from solicitation and prostitution overseas. The disheartening facts presented to me in my research, as well as the admiration ignited in my heart for the woman and children who persevered beyond their unfortunate circumstances, inspired me to devote my journey to uplifting at-risk and minority youth and women across the globe. Thus, Dream North was established.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dream North LLC (dba Dream North Entertainment) is a California-based company established for the advancement of marginalized minority individuals and communities. We are focused on bridging cultural and socio-economic gaps by way of collaboration and utilizing artistic expression as an alternative outlet for youth. Dream North Entertainment’s primary business activities are structured around providing media-driven programming and foster-placement events to directly impact affected youth. Our goal is to shed light on the foster care system and the circumstances that our youth and foster parents endure, while also promoting literary efficacy. In addition to adding books to the series in order to bring awareness to the foster care industry, a specific business objective of Dream North Entertainment is to provide uplifting events for foster youth to connect with one another, and be reminded that they are deserving of good things and to never stop following their dreams. Most importantly, we seek to provide adoption placement opportunities at our events and reach out to 1,000 foster children per year.

The concept of Dream North Entertainment came from the desire to encourage others to look to the North Star for strength to push forward and fulfill their dreams. Since entering the entertainment industry and pursuing my entrepreneurial endeavors in 2014, I’ve been tried and tested, enduring both treachery and triumphs. Now more than ever it was my time to approach the plate, tap into all of the knowledge I had gained, and lead!

As the Founder and CEO of Dream North Entertainment, I am responsible for leading a team, providing exemplary services to our clients on all projects, and working with them to execute the vision for their respective company. I take pride in having always been a diligent, resourceful and independent worker, and these are some of the greatest qualities any leader or entrepreneur can possess.

My entire life has felt like a struggle, both through inner and outer experiences; many struggles being because of my own careless or selfish doing. We all aspire to be loved, recognized, and valued, all the while, losing our determination to be respected or supported. I’m not too proud to admit that my biggest issue, as I’ve transitioned into adulthood, has been choosing relationships that are not healthy, whether it be business or personal. I’ve learned it’s my responsibility to choose myself and set boundaries.

This world can be so difficult to navigate, but in order for me, or any of us, to fulfill our purpose, we must to learn to let go no matter the depth of the project or person. There’s so much work to do, and it’s up to us to acknowledge our calling, choose ourselves, and in turn maintain our personal and professional balance so we are able to cherish each day.

But none of these achievements come close to the social impact we have established through the production of our new children’s book series. “Forgotten Baby” focuses on real-life experiences that young boys and girls face when entering the foster care system at a young age. My Co-Author, Arthur Romeo, and I hope that this book uplifts readers who face similar challenges within the foster care system, and inspires them to keep moving forward no matter how challenging life can get. We want them to know there is hope and it can get better. The primary goal is to shed light on the foster care system and the circumstances that our youth (and foster parents) endure, while also promoting literary efficacy. What our foster children experience is quite overwhelming: 15% of children who enter foster care are removed from their families due to neglect, 8% due to physical abuse, and 2% from sexual abuse. Girls in foster care are twice as likely to get pregnant by the age of 19, and 40% will have a second child by age 21; 47% of youth leaving foster care are unemployed, and 33% receive public assistance.

Publishing “Forgotten Baby” has been a major step forward for the Dream North Entertainment brand. I’m proud to announce established partnerships with entities such as, FAMLI Inc (our fiscal sponsor who currently proctors their program at Green Dot Public Schools in Los Angeles), the Los Angeles Police Museum, and various communities in the Bahamas. I believe with the support of like-minded individuals and organizations like these friends of mine, this is only the beginning and we will cultivate a platform to touch lives on a global scale.

What do we expect to see from Dream North in the future?

In May 2022, Dream North Foundation had the pleasure of partnering with the Los Angeles Police Museum to produce a “Story Time with Dream North & Friends” event covered by Fox 11 and Christine Devine. We were fortunate to honor William Romeo, former American Gladiator, and Rob Scheer, founder of Comfort Cases.

Dream North Foundation is excited to produce 4 more literary arts events in 2022 for approximately 1,000 at-risk youth:
1. July 16th at Sycamores for 30 young males in Altadena, CA
2. August 11th at Atlantis Resort for 200 children in Nassau, Bahamas
3. August 26th at Rose Haven for 300-500 children in Portland, Oregon
4. December 10th at Windmill Library for 400 attendees (including 300 children) in Las Vegas, Nevada

This is only the beginning for Dream North and Forgotten Baby and we appreciate this highlight of our brand and initiatives to impact underserved children and women on a global scale!

View Press Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17DZJswWCdLIDfjZ2AFHfsJKLyRr5BTak

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
FAMLI, Inc. is a nationally recognized 501(c) (3) founded in 1992 by cultural advocate and artist, Mr. Torrence Brannon-Reese. FAMLI Inc.’s grass root efforts guide youth who live in areas known for gang violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, low graduation rates and other life difficulties.

Its unique mentoring and school based art programs follow a nine-point curriculum, which teaches youth to accept personal responsibility for their lives. Embedded in the curriculum are the development of life skills (i.e. anger management), preparing for job interviews, civic engagement, cultural literacy, reinforcement of the California High School Students Subject Requirement (“A-G” Coursework) and much more.

The mission of FAMLI is to provide dynamic, culturally relevant programs and services to underserved youth and families to enrich their lives. We envision a generation of spiritually and emotionally healthy, intellectually sound, culturally literate, economically safe, and politically engaged human beings, making positive contributions to their family’s, their communities, the nation and the world.

See A Man, Be A Man (SAMBAM) curriculums are dynamic in their intensive and comprehensive approach to mentoring. The outcomes of the SAMBAM lesson plans have empowered the target audience of youth, African-American males ages 13 – 19, to make conscious and positive contributions to themselves, their families, communities, the nation and the world. Students receive tools that assist in the advancement and development of their educational competencies and production arts capabilities, enabling them to be prepared for middle school, high school, college, and their professional careers and aspirations. The ultimate goal is to help offer resources and guidance and prepare youth for the technological advances of the future, where the arts will continue to play a pivotal role and have a significant impact on the jobs of the future. We want to prepare our students to excel, break boundaries and confidently enter that arena, being well prepared educationally and socially.

www.famlisoul.org

Website: https://dreamnorthent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamnorthllc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamnorthent/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFwisFuCMVvtrYo0j9ZIXjA

Other: Instagram.Com/dreamnorthfoundation www.dreamnorthfoundation.org

Image Credits
Photo 4: Founder Nychol Lyna, Daughter/Youth Ambassador Zemirah Madison, Fiancé Kennie Leggett Photo 8: Nychol Lyna & Christine Devine (Fox 11 News)